Terrakova Eyes Diane

Freddy Head has high hopes for Terrakova (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) in Sunday's G1 Prix de Diane at Chantilly. The 'TDN Rising Star' is one of the best bred horses in training being by champion sire Galileo and out of Head's great race mare Goldikova (Ire) (Anabaa), a three-time winner at the Breeders' Cup among many other Grade/Group 1 successes. So far Terrakova is living up to her pedigree, winning a maiden on her only start at two before overcoming trouble in the running to win the G3 Prix Cleopatre on her return at Saint-Cloud. Head has always had this race in mind for his unbeaten filly, but feels she will stay further later in the campaign.

“I think she is very good,” said Head. “She's got a good cruising speed but also she can quicken. I know the family well, they are not too precocious, so I didn't want to over-face her last season. For the moment 10 furlongs is her trip, but she finished off her last race very strongly and I'm confident she'll stay a mile and a half. She didn't have the clearest of runs that day, but she found another gear, she's smart. I've also left another filly in, Listen In (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}), but I'm not sure she'll run. I just want to see who else is running first.”

Terrakova is one of 24 fillies still in the mix for the Group 1 heat, which is also known as the French Oaks. John Gosden's unbeaten 'Rising Star' Shutter Speed (GB) (Dansili {GB}), winner of the G3 Musidora S. at York last month, is one of just two British-trained possibles at this stage along with Charlie Appleby's fellow 'Rising Star' Sobetsu (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}), who won the G1 The Gurkha Coolmore Prix Saint-Alary in France last month, but disappointed in the G1 Oaks at Epsom.

Aidan O'Brien has left in his G1 1000 Guineas and Oaks runner-up and G1 Fillies' Mile heroine Rhododendron (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), 'Rising Star' Roly Poly (War Front) and Pocketfullofdreams (Fr) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}) while Andre Fabre could run G3 Prix de Royaumont victress Kitesurf (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}).